The Interview Concerning Leadership - Coursework Example

Insert Name xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Institution xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Instructor xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Date Interview Questions a. Name one person who you think is a good example of a leader b. Why did you choose this person? c. Describe their personality and their leadership behavior d. Do you think that leaders are born or made? Explain why e. Name one person who is in a leadership position but who you think does not have the qualities of a true leader f. Explain why Interview 1 a. Boris Johnson (Mayor of London) b. He is well educated and uses a lot of humor in his speeches. He is also a lot more intelligent than he appears to be on the surface. c. He uses his humorous speeches to draw people’s attention d. Leaders are made since what determines a good leader is the environment in which they are bought up and how well they interact with it. e. Kim Jong Ill (De facto leader of North Korea) f. He makes news for all the wrong reasons especially cruelty such as human rights violations, a starving population and the recent alleged nuclear test. He is a strong believer in violence and war. Interview 2 a. Barack Obama (President of the United States) b. He is very intelligent and inspirational. c. He is very composed, stands firm and provides guidance even during tough times such as the recent economic crunch. He is also very decisive and makes sound decisions. d. A leader can either be born or made since personality is inborn but then a good leader needs to shape himself and his life through his upbringing. e. Robert Mugabe (Ruler of Zimbabwe) f. He is cruel because commits human rights violations and is incompetent because he has destroyed what was formerly one of the strongest economies in Africa during his tenure. Interview 3 a. Winston Churchill (Former prime minister of Britain) b. He led the United Kingdom to victory during the World War II through his inspirational speeches. He was an expert motivator and therefore more effective during the war. c. He is inspirational, decisive and strategic. He was also decisive and strategic in making plans with his generals which eventually led to him winning the war. d. Leaders are made because we all have the leadership aspects but he who feels the most kingly is the king. e. Than Shwe (Ruler of Burma's military junta) f. He is inhuman because he commanded rescue and aid groups not to reach cyclone Nargis victims. Interview 4 a. Margaret Thatcher b. She was fearless and reaped her opponents apart during debates c. She was a very courageous leader, confident, knew what was needed and would therefore make it happen. d. Leaders are born and that’s why come artificial leaders fail miserably in their positions while others are successful without even straining. e. Gordon Brown f. He was not visionary, did not know what was needed or the best action to be taken and even if he knew what he wanted, he would end up making mistakes in the process of trying to get it done. Above all, he was fraudulent, incompetent and a liar. Interview 5 a. Jim Sinegal (Costco's CEO) b. He acts like a simple, normal guy despite being a CEO. His name tag simply says Jim, his office is open ended and he answers his own phone. c. He has managed to lower his employee turnover rate by acting like one of them and paying himself a modest salary. His employees therefore love him because they can easily associate with him. d. Leaders are born since they have something special in their blood and not everyone can be a leader. e. Richard Nixon f. He abused his rights as a leader of a free nation and did not respect people who opposed him. Interview 6 a. Howard Schultz (Starbucks' CEO) b. He is compassionate and a great leader. c. When three employees were killed in a robbery, the CEO personally flew to DC to spend time with the affected employees and their families or one week. His compassion and great leadership helped the affected parties to quickly move on past the tragedy. d. Leaders are both born and made since a good leader is born with the capacity to lead and shaped by the correct environment. e. Adolf Hitler (Former Chancellor of Germany) f. Because he based his leadership upon his poor childhood experiences, therefore making everything a nightmare. Interview 7 a. Nelson Mandela (Former South African President) b. He spearheaded the anti-apartheid movement and served a lengthy prison sentence for the same. c. He is a good decision maker because he is a great listener and always speaks last. He gives everyone a chance to speak before he can eventually speak and make his well informed decisions. d. Leaders are made since in most cases, especially political arenas with a hereditary kind of leadership, people are groomed from a young age in preparation to take over ruler ship. e. Silvio Berlusconi (Former Italy prime minister) f. He has had many scandals centered on women, the latest one involving an 18 year old which made his wife divorce him. Interview 8 a. Adolf Hitler (Former Chancellor of Germany) b. He was responsible for one of the greatest economic and military expansions ever seen by the world. c. He was strategic, meticulous and vibrant in his planning, which made him excel in invading other countries. d. Leaders are born because some people can never be good leaders no matter how hard they try. e. George W. Bush Jr. (Former US president) f. He is inflexible, not eloquent enough to influence people and opposes gay marriage for no good reason. Relevant quotes for interviews Best match leadership theory and reasons Interview 1 Well educated, uses a lot of humor, Violent, cruel Charismatic theory. Influence people and draws their attention using his wit and humor. Non-leader is violent and inhuman. Rules by inflicting fear Interview 2 Intelligent, composed, inspirational, firm, decisive Cruel, incompetent Trait theory. This involves personal characteristics being regarded as traits. Charismatic theory. Influences people through the inspirational and emotional speeches, together with the unwavering composure and decisiveness Non-leader has poor traits such as incompetence and violence/inhumanity Interview 3 Inspirational, motivational, effective Inhuman Charismatic theory. Ability to influence others based on traits and characteristics such as courage and confidence. Situational or Contingency theory. The leadership style is adaptable to suit a situation in this case for war Non-leader is inconsiderate of humanity Interview 4 Fearless, courageous, confident Not visionary, fraudulent, incompetent, a liar Trait theory. This involves personal characteristics being regarded as traits. Non-leader lacks vision and therefore does not have an idea hat is supposed be one in particular situations. Interview 5 Acts like a simple, normal guy despite being a CEO, employees therefore love him because they can easily associate with him Abused his rights as a leader of a free nation, did not respect people who opposed him Transformational theory. Since the leader leads by example and commands the respect, loyalty and confidence of group members Non-leader misuses his power as a leader and does not respect the opposition. Interview 6 Compassionate and a great leader Based his leadership upon his poor childhood experiences, therefore making everything a nightmare Servant theory. Focused on the growth and development of employees or followers Non-leader focuses his leadership around himself instead of focusing it on his followers. Interview 7 A good decision maker because he is a great listener and always speaks last, well informed decisions Had many scandals centered on women Servant theory. Focused on the growth and development of employees or followers. Gives everyone a chance to speak before they can speak hence good listener Non-leader has his priorities misplaced on things at do not affect his followers positively. Interview 8 Strategic, meticulous and vibrant in his planning Inflexible, not eloquent enough to influence people Situational or Contingency theory. The leadership style is adaptable to suit a situation Non-leader is not adaptable and his decisions are fixed. Does not tolerate opinions of others. Bibliography William, T. 2002. Types of surveys, research method knowledge. sage publication Wilson, C and Hollowitz, J. 1993. Structured interviewing in volunteer selection. Journal of applied communication research, 21, 41-52 Read More